The Sprout

Supplies for Ukrainian refugees sent from Botley and Eynsham

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Issue 166 April 2022

The Sprout

The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley

Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,

Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer

Editor

Ag MacKeith

South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk

Advertising Manager

Michael Cockman

50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Te l : 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk

Deliveries

Jan Shirley and Isabelle Hayes

9, Sweetmans Road OX2 9BA 07706 606719 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk

Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is

welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.

Advertisements: If you have print-ready advertisements in the correct format the

last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all

other circumstances more advance notice will be needed. For details about exact

sizes, quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact

the Advertising Manager.

Advertising rates:

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¼ page: 1 issue £28; 3 issues £67.50; 5 issues £98; 10 issues; £168

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Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The

Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription – only £12 per annum,

delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this

newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for

any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not

a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in

a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual

contributors.

All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.

The Sprout is printed by Dataprint Ltd, and published by North

Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by

guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.

It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk

The Sprout

Issue 166, April 2022

Contents

3 Letters to the Editor

Botley in Bloom

5 Let’s Celebrate the Jubilee

9 End of an Era for the XVth

13 Tumbling Bay Under Threat

17 Delights of Hinksey Heights

18 PPG Asks some Questions

19 Anglican Easter Services

21 West Oxford Bowls Club

23 Easter at Hill End

4th Scouts Funday

25 Planning Applications

27 Lot 3 Wood

29 Save Energy – Stay Warm

33 Community Larder

35 Botley School

37 Kennington Memory Club

38 Randoms

39 Local Organizations

From the Editor

This is the year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and there won’t be

another, so let’s celebrate in style! The Parish Council shares initial ideas

on page 5. Botley in Bloom is joining in the fun (p3), and so is Botley

School (p35). A couple of well-loved institutions are under threat –

Tumbling Bay has been our local swimming hole for nearly 200 years, but

the structure is crumbling (p13). The Farmers Market’s been with us for

rather less time, but also needs our support if it is to survive (see page

38). The XVth Scouts, long established with the Baptists, are looking for a

new home (p9), suggestions welcomed. What makes you happy? Could it

be bowls (p21), antiques (p17), or getting close to nature, like Riki, who

mortgaged her house to buy a wood (full story on page 27)? The Patients

Group continues to ask the BMC hard questions (p18), Kennington

Memory Club continues to provide a haven for dementia sufferers (p37).

Sustainable Botley’s home energy session has uncovered some practical

help (p29). Easter events and service times are on pages 19 and 23.

Finally, Botley has rallied in support of those displaced by the war on

Ukraine. The cover shows the first tranche of food and clothes on its way

to Romania (p7).

Ag MacKeith

Letters to the Editor

Vandal proof

If the art project [to make the A34 flyover more welcoming, see March

issue] becomes reality, I hope that it will not become mutilated and

spoiled by awful graffiti like the once beautiful artwork under the A34

subway at Montagu Road/Stanley Close.

For probably 20 years the historic murals were left intact – but so sad to

view them now. Why did the urge to mutilate special buildings and

places fall victim to ‘artwork’ abusers?

Perhaps future artwork can become vandal proof with special barrier

coatings?

Briony Newport

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Botley in Bloom –

Front Garden Competition 2022

Entry deadline is Monday 6 June

Judging in week beginning Monday 13 June

Winners announced Monday 20 June

Categories:

· Best Front Garden

· Best Cultivated-Wildlife Front Garden

· Best Jubilee Hanging Basket or Window Box

The last category is a special one-off for this Platinum Jubilee

Year and we will be looking for creativity and appropriate use

of colour.

Botley in Bloom is sponsored by The Sprout, NHPC, and LeoQuent.

Celebrating the Jubilee

There will be four bank holidays in a row for the Queen’s Platinum

Jubilee, and Botley is not going to be backward in coming forward

to celebrate.

First there is the beacon, erected ten years ago by the parish council in

time for Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee. The plan is to light it as part of

the National Beacon Chain at 9.45pm on the first bank holiday,

Thursday 2nd June. If you look at the Jubilee Beacon Chain website

(https://www.queensjubileebeacons.com/) you will find various intriguing

possibilities: a special tune has been written for pipers, and there’s a

fanfare for a cornet to play as the beacon is lit. A special song

celebrating the Commonwealth has been commissioned for choirs. If we

can find a piper, a cornet player and a choir, perhaps we can manage all

three! Step forward if that sounds like you! Last time we started with a

candlelit procession from the field below, and came back down for hot

chocolate at the pavilion. It would be nice to do that again.

A tart has been devised by Countrywomen–Country Wide to celebrate

all four countries of the United Kingdom. It contains smoked salmon for

Scotland, leeks for Wales, potatoes for Northern Ireland and cheddar

cheese for England. There’s even advice on how to make enough for 70

people all to have a slice, one for each year, also on jubileebeacons.

We’ll put the recipe in next month’s Sprout.

Bring your

picnics to the

playing field

from 7pm.

There will be

a bar and

perhaps a

barbecue, and

some live

music or other

entertainment.

Could we

manage a

talent show –

or at least an

open mic session? The picture shows Botley school children singing on

the field at the 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The second part of the celebration would be down at the shopping

centre on Saturday 4th June. This could involve:

• an open air stage with a range of entertainment. Stagecoach have

expressed an interest.

• stalls along the open space between Tesco's and the Co-op

• other appropriate entertainment such as Morris dancing and

demonstrations by local sports clubs

• a tie in with the Seacourt pub.

• engagement of local shops and restaurants

• decoration, bunting, flags etc.

• the Crabtree Challenge. This piece of daftness would involve peo-

ple carrying heavy weights of some kind racing each other up the

hill from St Paul’s Crescent to Laburnum Road. How would it work?

What would be the prizes? Who could compete? Send your ideas

to the Sprout.

There’d also be some kind of local history exhibition in the Seacourt

Hall, perhaps also an art exhibition, and afternoon tea, courtesy of the

W.I., with genteel musical accompaniment.

Sunday 5th June is the day for street parties and the national ‘big

lunch’. So far we’ve heard of Poplar Road and Beech/Chestnut Roads,

and we look forward to hearing of more. This might be the moment to

bake that Jubilee Tart! As it happens, it’s also World Environment Day.

Other people are planning other things – please let the Sprout know so

we can make sure they all get the widest publicity!

Botley in Bloom couldn’t be left out. A new category will mark the

occasion – Best Jubilee Hanging Basket or Window Box.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Botley and Eynsham help for Ukrainian Refugees

Locals contributed 276 bags of clothing, bedding and food in the first

two weeks of March, to be sent by Barnabas Fund to those caring for

refugees in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova and Poland.

The first 40-foot-long lorry left the collection warehouse in Swindon on

March 13th with 30 tons, and arrived in Romania on March 17th.

Goods are still needed, especially dried and tinned food (sardines and

meat), and nappies. These can be left with Canon Chris Sugden at 36

North Hinksey Village (csugden@ocrpl.org / 07808 297043) who is

arranging regular deliveries to the Swindon warehouse. For more infor-

mation about the way these deliveries are being used please see

www.barnabasfund.org.

End of an Era –

Botley Baptists call Time on a century of partnership

Scouting in Botley is about to undergo a change. Botley Baptist Church

Trustees have decided they will no longer provide a Community Hall for

the 15th Oxford Scout Group. We were informed that they are seeking a

change-of-use in the new building, giving users of the first-floor hall just

two months’ notice to seek new homes. Botley Baptist Church have

provided a hall for the 15th Oxford Scout Group since their origins in

New Inn Hall Street in 1909 and all through subsequent moves to the

old and new Church. This eviction brings to an end 112 years of the

15th Oxford Scouts’ sponsorship by and association with Botley Baptist

Church. The picture shows an earlier cohort in front of the former Bap-

tist church, where the Premier Inn now stands.

To quote the church’s own website they joined MACE in

“…redevelopment of the Botley shopping precinct, to deliver a new

church and community facility which meets the needs of a growing

Church and a growing community.” What looked like a fantastic oppor-

tunity to grow and serve the community better than ever, for us in Botley

Baptist Church, is gone.

But this is

where we see

the 15th Ox-

ford Scout

Group at the

beginning of a

brand-new ad-

venture. It

won’t be with-

out challenges

and the Group

(supported en-

tirely by volun-

teers) is de-

termined to

“Do Our Best”

to keep a val-

uable resource for the community open, although time is short. It’s a

daunting task, but one we will not shy away from. Scouts are do-ers and

give-it-a-go-ers. We do camping, hiking, abseiling, canoeing, tracking,

pioneering, orienteering and more! But we also get to hang out with our

friends every week – having fun, playing games, working in a team and

taking on new challenges. We teach skills for life. Everybody’s welcome

here, all genders, races, and backgrounds. There’s a Scout adventure

out there waiting for you, and we’ll help you find it. Just with a different

home from now on!

Hopefully by the time you read this, we will already be typing the next

Sprout article introducing you to our new meeting place. However, we

need your community support for this. All help with finding a new venue

would be hugely appreciated, so the 15th Oxford can continue to en-

courage, support and help young people in our community. If you think

you or somebody you know can help us with this latest adventure, or in

any volunteering role please contact XVOxfordScouts@yahoo.co.uk or

XVOxfordGSL@gmail.com. Thank you. Tom Freeman

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SKATEPARK UPDATE Canvas Spaces won the contract with

their brilliant tender. There’s a picture of the winning design on the

NHPC website, but this is only provisional, as consultation will

now begin, and we are expecting to make some changes follow-

ing lots of input from local kids.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tumbling Bay Under Threat

Once again, the future of Tumbling Bay is in doubt. Our much loved

river swimming pool, behind West Oxford Community Centre in Botley

Park, has been partly fenced off by the City Council for several months

now. There are real concerns that the northern wall of concrete is ready

to give way, with water now running behind it. There was a meeting

there on 7th March, when some 40 people gathered in the icy east wind

to let the Council know how much they value our local open-air pool.

Some four or five hardy souls had even come along to say they swim

there a couple of times a week all through the winter.

Tumbling Bay was first opened in 1853, to provide safe bathing for the

men and boys of Oxford, and has been used by swimmers ever since.

Generations of local children have learnt to swim here. In its heyday,

thousands would come to enjoy the waters. There were three swimming

pools, a water chute and diving boards, changing rooms and lifeguards.

Malcolm Graham records, in his History of Tumbling Bay, that 86,000

admissions were recorded between May and September 1947.

Use dwindled from the 60s onwards, as people started to go abroad in

search of the sun, and it was officially closed as a swimming pool in the

1990s. There was talk of turning it into a site for pond dipping, but the

Environment Agency made it clear that it was an essential component of

their flood management strategy, so it was saved and dredged. It carries

all the usual dangers of wild water swimming, but it is still enjoyed by

many children and families during the summer months and by hardier

swimmers throughout the year.

All through the

COVID

lockdowns,

Tumbling Bay

was a great

source of

entertainment

and exercise

for West

Oxford and

Botley. There

are plenty of

river walks and open spaces around but this is our one bathing place.

The photo shows a sunny day last summer.

What did we learn? Consultants have been engaged to explore

options, but the survey must wait till June, when fish have finished

spawning. The council have undertaken to maintain access.

Their ‘green and blue spaces team’ (what a name!) flag that this a

chance to rethink biodiversity. But we had come to speak up for this

valuable piece of local heritage, which we were eager to maintain. It

would be a shame to lose the pool just as outdoor swimming is gaining

popularity again. Over 2000 people have now signed the petition

launched by concerned local swimmers, calling on the council to

preserve the historic character and shape of Tumbling Bay by repairing

or replacing the existing structure. (To add your name, go to

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-tumbling-bay). The petition

adds that we’d be willing to help find funding for the more expensive

option of repairing the existing wall.

What came out of the meeting? The council made it clear they will not

promote swimming in the river. It will take ten years, they said, for

Thames Water to clean up their act and find better ways of dealing with

sewage than allowing it to overflow into our streams. In the name of

public health they cannot be seen to be encouraging it. However, they

did accept that people will keep going to Tum, and that means they may

fall in. It’s too dangerous to use the ladders on the north side, and they

reluctantly accepted that public safety requires steps to be installed on

the south side before the summer season begins. We also asked for a

proper notice about the dangerous state of the north edge. This would

do more to stop people climbing on it than the flimsy fence currently in

place. A red DANGER sign painted on the concrete would help. They

agreed to clear all the reed from the top basin and reduce the reed in

the lower pool by one third. They further accepted that what happens to

Tum is a matter of local concern, and said they will not proceed without

consulting us all first.

By the end it had become clear that the work can’t start this Summer,

and plans are unlikely to be in place by the Autumn. It’s hard to imagine

doing the work once the river is in spate during the Winter, so probably

nothing before 2023. Now is the time to revive the Friends of Tum. If

you’ve been a supporter, go to the new Facebook page called the Tum-

bling Bay Preservation Society and say you’re interested. If you’re keen

to ensure the survival of Botley’s hidden asset, please do visit it and

post your photos of happy days at Tum, and any ideas you may have of

ways of keeping it.

T. B . P. S .

Delights of the Heights

Somewhere to walk to … or somewhere to walk from. With stunning

views of Oxford. Am I selling it to you yet? At the beginning (or is it the

end?) of the Hinksey Heights nature trail, just below the golf course and

slightly to the right of the vets, is the old bullpen in what was the

farmyard. Still sporting sloping floors and the remnants of a bull proof

fence, LeoQuent is the new kid on the hill.

By no means saving the planet, but trying to maintain what we already

have, this LeoQuent place houses vintage, recycled, retro, a little bit

antique-y, broken but fixed, upcycled and sometimes tarnished, quirky

furniture and curios. The showroom and workshop is manned and

painted mostly by Leo, occasionally joined and drawn by Q and all sewn

up by Judi. It is committed, and very resistant to buying anything

new.They can also paint, fix it, or chop it in half to make into something

else. We want it to go round again and not into the ground.

But that is not the only reason to head up to Hinksey Heights.

Also up on the hill are Hot Diggity Dawg providing doggy day care.

Cultivate are boxing up their locally sourced low carbon footprint fruit

and veg and delivering to anyone locally.

The dog-training club Four Paws, bringing all your dogs to heel.

Hilltop Veterinary Centre, helping all those pets.

The Golf Club Pay and Play as well as membership golf, plus the soon

to be renamed 19th hole, is open to everyone for food and drinks.

And above all – whether you walk there down the impeccably kept

nature trail, drive via the garden centre A34 exit, or bike it – everybody

gets the view. You can see the

whole of Oxford. All those

dreaming spires will make you

want to cartwheel down the hill.

And if you’re lucky you may even

catch a glimpse of a goat.

Come and look for yourself, we’d

love to see you at LeoQuent. In

the meantime check out our

website Leoquent.co.uk for opening times and where to find us.

Leo McAllister

Botley Medical Centre – update

Following the publication of the Care Quality Commission’s report on

Botley Medical Centre (which can be viewed on the BMC website),

members of the Patients Participation Group met with the staff of BMC

and the chair of the Oxford Commissioning Group at Kennington Health

Centre to discuss the questions we had submitted.

Our report this month will focus on some of these and the responses

they received. We have also identified various issues to do with Ap-

pointments and Blood Test Results and will discuss our ideas with the

practice. Next month’s report will bring further details.

Question: Where is the Botley Medical Centre now?

A replacement Practice Manager has been appointed, starting in May.

A pharmacy clerk has been appointed to liaise between the practice

and the pharmacies, to smooth processes and speed up prescriptions.

Working with the Clinical Pharmacist she will process patients’ requests

in a timely way, so they reach the pharmacies quickly. She also deals

with requests from care homes.

She is already having an impact. Care-home requests have been re-

viewed and a monthly plan agreed with all parties involved. The practice

is confident the impact on the rest of the patients will soon become ap-

parent.

She cannot be contacted directly about prescriptions. She is part of the

Pharmacist Team and reports to the Lead Pharmacist, who is responsi-

ble for the smooth running of the prescribing system. If you are still hav-

ing problems, please contact the practice to let us know.

A full-time Lead Nurse has been appointed to take on the leadership

of the nursing team, starting in April. The team will still include the cur-

rent lead nurse.

The practice wants to recruit three more GPs. But there is a national

shortage of GPs and none have applied so far. Currently the BMC is

keeping up through Livi and locum GPs (as well as utilising other Clini-

cians such as Physicians Associate, nurses, etc). Instead of seeing a

GP, patients can be directed straight to a pharmacy.

A web-designer has been appointed to upgrade the practice website.

Question: Why does the CQC report say the practice is open at

7:30 when phones aren’t open until 8:00? What happens between

7:30 and 8:00?

Official opening times are: 08:00-18:30.

The report refers to Extended Hours. The practice is open from 0730-

0800 for pre-booked appointments on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and

Thursdays with different clinicians.

There are also evening telephone appointments for extended hours

(18:30-19:00 on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Question: Why doesn’t the CQC report mention that Kennington

Reception closes early on some days?

It is only Reception that closes early. The surgery is still open for GPs,

Paramedic, Nurse and HCA. It is not a regular closure and only hap-

pens when we cannot cover the Reception on both sites. It will change

when all staff are fully trained and can be left without supervision.

Our next PPG meeting is Tuesday April 12th at 6pm To join please

contact me at csugden@ocrpl.org

Chris Sugden

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Easter Service times in the Anglican Parish

of North Hinksey with Botley

Maundy Thursday 9.30am Morning Prayer at St. Lawrence

14th April 7.00pm Holy Communion at St. Peter

and St Paul

Good Friday 9.30am Morning Prayer at Ss Peter & Paul

15th April 10.30am Ecumenical Service in West Way Square

2.00pm Good Friday Liturgy at Ss Peter & Paul

Easter Day 9.30am Holy Communion at St. Peter and St Paul

17th April 11.30am Holy Communion at St. Lawrence,

West Oxford Bowls Club Welcomes New Members

It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, experienced or a novice,

just wanting to play socially, or more competitively, you will be given a

warm welcome down at your local lawn bowls club.

The West Oxford Bowls Club can be found in Botley Park, past West

Oxford Community Centre, behind the tennis courts and before you

reach the Tumbling Bay bathing area. It’s a fantastic resource available

to the local community, has its own clubhouse and is blessed with its

own bar. From the start of the new season, WOBC is looking to recruit

new members.

Founded in 1924, the club built a strong membership over time. Alt-

hough the numbers may have reduced somewhat, the club is still very

active both on the playing side and on the social side.

For those of a competitive nature the club competes in the Oxfordshire

league and gained promotion to Division 3 in 2019. The club continues

to punch above its weight and narrowly missed out on promotion again

in 2021. However for those wanting to play a more social game, friendly

matches are organised against other local clubs throughout the season.

The club also offers weekly ‘turn up and play’ sessions when club mem-

bers compete among themselves for fun. This is ideal for those new to

bowls and those keen to practise.

As well as the playing side, the club is renowned locally for its social

activities. These range from quiz nights, race & social evenings with

bands and discos ... to day trips away to other bowls clubs outside the

county. Recent

trips included

visits to Wes-

ton-Super-

Mare and

Portsmouth.

With an eye to

the future, the

club is now

initiating a re-

cruitment drive

for new mem-

bers, and

some activities

will align with

activities organised by Bowls England, the national association.

Top r e a son s to g i v e bowls a try:

1. It’s very do-able. Whatever your physique, bowls is a sport that will

help improve your fitness levels and mental wellbeing.

2. It’s not expensive. You don’t need lots of new kit. We have a large

selection of old bowls to use while you decide on the right bowls for you.

3. Age and gender are less important in bowls, so it’s a great way to

spend time with people of all ages, enjoying a bit of friendly competition.

4. It’s a great social game. Bowls clubs are sociable places full of peo-

ple looking to have fun, so bowls is a great way to relax, make new

friends and feel part of your local community.

Whether you want to be a national champion or just a social player,

WOBC is organising a number of open days when you can come along

and have a go. The dates for your diary are:

• Weekend 7th May & 8th May, 11am to 4pm;

• Friday 27th

May, from 6pm to 8pm;

• Saturday 28th May, 10am to 1pm;

• Sunday 29th May, 2pm to 5pm;

• Saturday 9th July, “Fun in the Park” day.

On these days we open our doors to anyone interested in the sport. Ex-

perienced members will be on

hand to guide you and give ad-

vice.

During the season (from 2nd

May) you can always come along

every Monday evening from

6.30pm when the club is open for

members to practise, have a chat

and a drink. Prospective mem-

bers are always welcome on club

nights, so just turn up and intro-

duce yourself.

If you require more information

about joining the club, giving

bowls a try, or just general info

please contact Dave on 07931

603801 or via email:

wobc.membership@gmail.com

Dave Ellerker

Family Forest Days at Hill End over Easter

Tuesday 19th April and Wednes-

day 20th April, 10.00am–2.00pm

Join us on our popular family ac-

tivity days... Lots of Spring fun in

the great outdoors. Walk in the

woods, make a den, follow the

trails, splash in streams, do craft

activities and toast marshmallows

on the campfire...

£8.00 per person (child or adult)

under 2s free. Tickets include

BBQ /soup and hot drinks in the Friends of Hill End pop-up café.

Book online at: https://hill-end.org/activities/upcoming-events.

These are self-led open days so children will be the responsibility of

their parents or carers throughout the day.

Please note, car parking is limited, so if coming with family or friends

consider lift sharing. Sorry, no dogs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Fun to Come

4th Oxford Scout Group are or-

ganising a large community fun-

day on Saturday 18th June, from

1-5pm at Oxford Rugby Club in

North Hinksey – please save the

date. Activities include: a 7m

climbing tower, archery from Ox-

ford Archers, football fun from

Cumnor Minors, activities and

games from the Oxford Sports

Lawn Tennis Club, pony riding, bouncy castle and an obstacle course,

plus lots more. Try out Oxfordshire Girl Guides' high rope bridge (see

picture), and try to build your own. Oxford Rugby Club will run a Hog

Roast, provide food from their kitchen, a bar and touch rugby. Radio

Cherwell are running the sound system, and there will be an open mic

stage. An amateur radio station will be part of the Oxford/Bonn link 75th

anniversary festivities.

Would your community organisation like to join in? All ages catered for.

Please contact chair@thefourth.org.uk. Save the date!

LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS

P22/V0070/HH

34 Lime Rd. Ground floor single

storey side & rear extension, top

floor rear conversion/ extension.

13 January

TDD: 10 Mar

P22/V0158/D

69 Yarnells Hill. Demolition of

house, garage, & swimming

pool.

20 January

TDD: 17 Feb

P22/V0261/FUL

Variation of

condition 2 on

planning app

P20/V2959/FUL

20 Linden House, Flat 4,

Eynsham Rd. Change study into

a bedroom in flat 4. Proposed

provision of 6 new flats

comprising 3x2 bed and 3x1

bed, self-contained units.

2 February

Target

Decision

Date:

30 March

P22/V0392/HH

Elmhurst, Harcourt Hill.

Demolish extensions. Build

single storey rear extension, &

enlarge 1st floor. Change of

windows, doors & roof finish.

17 February

TDD: 14

April

P22/V0470/FUL

New Barn Stanton Rd. Erect

single

detached 2-storey house,

parking area , soft landscaping.

21 February

TDD: 18 April

P22/V0354/FUL

Renewal of

planning

application

P19/V0253/FUL.

76 West Way. 1

floor flat to be

retained. Ground floor to be

converted back into residential

use. Existing single storey

raised to 2 storeys. Existing

garage removed,

22 February

TDD: 19 April

P22/V0480/HH

42 Hutchcomb Rd. Demolish

conservatory & raised terrace,

build single storey rear

extension, raised terrace, loft

conversion and dormer window.

22 February

TDD: 19 April

P22/V0482/FUL

5 Toynbee Close. Erect new

four-bedroom family dwelling at

rear of 5 Toynbee Close, a

driveway on the western

boundary plus garage.

23 February

TDD: 20 April

LOT 3 Wood

You are probably

unaware of a lovely ten

acre woodland on the

right half-way up

Hinksey Hill. Its name

is Lot 3 Wood, so

called because it was

bought at auction. The

Sprout’s very own Riki

Therivel was the

successful bidder at a

sealed-bid auction in

2003 and she and Tim

re-mortgaged their house in order to make the purchase.

I talked to Riki about how and why she went about creating and

managing her own woodland. She told me that the area had been

agricultural land for hundreds of years, had even been painted by

William Turner around 1840 (‘Oxford from Hinksey Hill’ is kept in Oxford

Town H all ) , but sh e wan t e d t o e n h a n ce h a bit a t b iodi v e rsit y. I n s h o rt,

she loves woods.

First it needed clearing and next a plan to turn it into woodland. The

Oxfordshire County Council Woodlands Officer provided valuable

advice and helped with a successful application to the Forestry

Commission for a grant for trees.

Planting started that same year, 7000 trees in all. Unfortunately in 2003

the UK registered its driest February–October since 1921. ‘The drought

was really depressing,’ says Riki. ‘Without rain the trees weren’t able to

grow well initially and I was really worried that I wouldn’t qualify for the

remainder of the grant from the Forestry Commission.’ Fortunately the

2,200 oak and 2,200 ash trees, plus field maple, crab apple, wild cherry,

hazel, and silver birch survived the hot summer and drought.

Contractors helped with some of the planting and did the fencing, a

daunting task. Eight acres are now woodland with a separate two-acre

wildflower meadow sloping down the hill with a beautiful view of

Oxford’s dreaming spires.

The O.C.C. Woodland Officer also taught Riki how best to manage the

land. The priority job was to mark out seven metre-wide paths and Riki

learned that an east/west orientation is good for butterflies. Trees were

planted so that the smallest trees were nearest the paths, behind the

medium height ones, then the tallest furthest away so that a bowl shape

was created. Before long, many flowers including two types of orchid

(pyramidal and common spotted), bluebells, ferns, lots of fungi,

badgers, foxes, as well as hungry and destructive muntjac deer, had

moved in.

Riki explained to me the principles of coppicing the hazel: apparently

you cut one seventh of the trees every February so that each tree is

coppiced every 7 years. The sale of the resulting pea sticks and bean

poles pays for the insurance and mowing of paths. They are sold out

already! Riki teaches coppicing to pass on her skills and she says that

timber management also now takes place as after 15 years’ growth

trees can start to crowd each other out.

In a stroke of genius Riki rents out three areas of her woodland to other

people. Riki says: ‘One area is used by archers who give bow-making

workshops and do green woodworking; another is rented to Oxfordshire

County Council for woodcraft sessions with disadvantaged children; and

the third is used by a couple who love it so much they have bought their

own woodland and will move to Somerset to live in it.

I was excited, but not surprised, to learn that in 2019 the Royal Forestry

Society awarded first prize (Small and Farm Woodland category) in the

South-East Region to Lot 3 Wood. This year the RFS, which is

committed to promoting the benefits of responsible woodland

management, will be looking for The Best of The Best. The judges will

be considering

how the land is

managed for high

quality timber,

biodiversity and

education. We

wish Riki success

in this great

undertaking.

My final question

to Riki was simply

‘Why?’ Her reply

was immediate:

‘It’s about joy!

The woodland

gives me enormous pleasure.’ It was an absolute pleasure talking to

her.

Viv Smith

Save Energy – Stay Warm

About forty

people came

along on 12th

March to find

out how we

could reduce

our fuel bills

and cut back

our impact on

the planet. First

we heard from

a line of

experts – which

is to say,

people who had had experience of the things we wanted to understand.

Then we took ourselves off to workshops and went into more detail. The

one I attended was discussing small steps that would make a

difference. One thing that emerged from it was the existence of an

organization called the Local Energy Advice Partnership – LEAP for

short. It gives free advice and home visits to everyone who’s eligible,

and that seems to be most of us. The criteria are all on the website

(https://applyforleap.org.uk), but here are some examples.

You are eligible if you get any one of these benefits: Employment and

Support Allowance; Jobseeker’s Allowance; Income Support; Pension

Credit; Child Tax Credit, Work Tax Credit; Universal Credit; Child

Benefit; Carer’s Allowance; Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction

or a Disability Benefit (Incl. Attendance Allowance, DLA, PIP) .

Or you might qualify because of your state of health if you have:

Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Neurological or neurobiological conditions

(e.g. dementia, Parkinson’s, etc); Musculoskeletal conditions (incl.

arthritis); Blood conditions or Cancer, among others then you are

eligible for free help. If you don’t use the Internet, you can phone them

on 0800 0607567.

If you go and look this up in the Library, you can watch the reassuring

YouTube video which show s how they go about helping you.

Better Housing, Better Health is another organization that offers help

and grants (https://www.bhbh.org.uk). They give grants for energy

efficiency improvements such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation

and heating system replacements through the government ECO

scheme. You qualify for funding if your household receives income-

related benefits or has a low overall household income and a resident

with a vulnerability to the cold. Vulnerabilities can include suffering

from a long-term health condition, being in receipt of a non-means tested

benefit or living in a property that has a low energy performance. You

can contact them by phone on 0800 107 0044 on weekdays, or email

them on bhbh@nef.org.uk.

So there’s help out there, if you know where to look.

The other workshop, which was simply buzzing and could have gone on

for hours, covered what people have managed to do and what worked.

There were several examples of local efforts that had not cost the Earth.

We learned about Green Week, at the end of June, when people across

the county will open their homes to show the kinds of eco-renovation

they have carried out, and talk about how they did it and what it cost. It

would be great if Elms Rise could join in. There will be an Eco Fair at

the Town Hall at the end of June, show-casing this kind of work and the

companies that carry it out.

As for the tea and cakes, they were home made and free, so that was

definitely a plus! Ag MacKeith

Join Botley Community Larder

and help reduce food waste

From mooli to muesli, papayas to pot noodles, the Botley community

larder is the place to try new food, get a fantastic bargain, and help to

reduce food waste.

Every Thursday 3-5pm

at 81 West Way OX2 9JY, in the church hall

£3.50/wk for 14+ items of food, £7/wk for 28+ items

The Botley larder is one of about 20 larders run by the charity SOFEA,

which gets surplus food from wholesalers and supermarkets – food that

is within date and perfectly good to eat, but that would otherwise go into

the waste stream. SOFEA runs a warehouse in Didcot where they train

disadvantaged young people in warehouse skills, using the surplus

food. Every week the larders get an amazing selection of fruit, veg,

bread, tinned goods, cereal and other goodies brought up from Didcot,

plus top-ups from the excellent Oxford Food Hub. The larder

membership pays for food transport and support for the young people –

everyone wins!

To joi n th e lar d e r, you need to se t up a di rect debit: £10 to sign up, and

then £14 every month (equivalent to £3.50/week). Then come down on

Thursday, join the queue at the larder (we have over 100 members), get

your name signed off, and then enter to see this:

A volunteer takes you

around and helps you

to choose food… and

then you can sit at the

table in the centre,

have a free cup of

tea/coffee and slice of

Orit’s homemade

cake, and catch up

with your neighbours.

The larder is run

entirely by volunteers. The food varies from week to week, depending

on what is surplus at warehouses, so it doesn’t work as a “weekly

shop”. But it does allow you to try new things, help the environment,

support young people, and meet your neighbours. Other larders are in

Blackbird Leys, Barton, West Oxford Community Centre and

Cutteslowe. Riki Therivel

So Many Things to Celebrate

It has been a busy time once again at Botley School. As is our tradition,

Tuesday 1st March saw the children celebrate Pancake Day in style.

Children came to school bearing frying pans and pancakes and each

class ran races until we were left with finalists for the BIG RACE. The

overall winner of the pan-shaped trophy was Ethan from Year 6 who

showed skills in running at speed whilst tossing a pancake. Fun was

had by all the spectators! The second part of our day was our ‘Decorate

a Pancake’ activity where each child decorated a pancake with healthy

items. This year saw depictions of dinosaurs, lions, bees, patterns,

suns, etc. Creativity was at its max … and then was eaten. This is

always a fun aspect of the school calendar and our focus was on how

this season gives us a chance to think about others.

World Book Day, 3rd March, was celebrated by children enjoying the

variety of books on offer in school and with some author focussed

activities. In Year 5 and 6, the teachers each chose a particular book by

Shaun Tan. His pictures and words are so evocative and inspired the

children to create new characters, build an entire city out of recycleable

materials, make Cicadas out of paper maché with glittery wings and to

set a book to music. Reading at Botley School has always been a

strong subject, our commitment to sharing good texts enables children

to enrich their vocabulary and tackle diverse issues.

We recently had a guest visitor to school, Moira Darlington, who sat

amongst our Year 1 children and broadcast an assembly across school

via our online TEAMS facility. She had come to tell us about an exciting

project to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee – this is The

Queen’s Green Canopy Project which will see new trees planted across

the nation. Our part has been for every child and adult in our school to

plant a sapling provided by the Woodlands Trust – Elder, Blackthorn,

Crab Apple and Dog Rose. We have been talking about the importance

of trees in our school grounds – and in the world! We are also talking

about our wishes for the future; trying to look after our environment and

becoming more sustainable. We have created a new pathway and will

plant a small orchard with some larger trees sponsored by one of our

parents from Seacourt, an Oxford-based printing business.

We had great – if muddy – fun! Big thanks to all those who have helped

with this project. We look forward to watching the trees grow and make

new memories for the children of Botley School.

The Botley School Tea m

Do you remember when… ?

How often do conversations start like this! It may be family occasions,

the local environment, significant events in public life, old items and

tools, or trends in music or fashion that we are trying to recall. Our

whole lives are a culmination of what we have experienced up to this

point, whether it’s things we’ve enjoyed or want to laugh about, or

maybe that astonished or even horrified us.

Once our memory is no longer reliable, we lose so much of our

background story. Our own identity is not as clear-cut anymore. This is

why reminiscences are so important for people living with dementia,

whose memories tend to be very selective. At Kennington Memory Club

we try to trigger the recollections of our members by conversation,

quizzes, games, pictures and music.

Do you have a passion you could share with our members? This is just

one of the talents that we welcome in our volunteers. Being a good

listener is another. Helping with the practical tasks involved with the day

centre’s operation is always valuable, but there are other things you can

offer. If you would like to join our band of volunteers, in whatever

capacity, please contact our organizer, Helen, on 07852 883496.

A reminder of what the Club does – our day-care sessions provide

company, different surroundings, activities, music, friendship and

laughter, all much enjoyed by the members, and giving their carers

much-needed respite from their

duties. So if you, or someone you

know, would benefit from attending

the Club, held at Kennington

Methodist Church, and want to find

out more, please telephone Helen

(number above) or email

info@kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk

There’s more on our website:

kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk

Randoms

Farmers Market – our community market

Had you heard? – just as the fine weather’s coming, Botley Farmers Market

is on the verge of shutting down. But Doc Saman has weighed in to help.

On behalf of Jack MacLeod and the traders, he has launched a new Face-

book page for the market where he will share updates and weekly discount

and promotion offers from the traders. On behalf of Jack, he invites us all to

get involved. Perhaps you’ve always fancied having a market stall? Jack

will help you take those first steps with no financial risk. Talk to him on a

Saturday or message on Facebook (or on 07887 902412 if you don't use

social media). They are listening to all ideas and suggestions and they

mean to make Botley Farmers Market into Botley Community Farmers

Market

Manna from Anna

Botley Baptist Church is open every Wednesday and Friday 10-3pm.

Snacks, cakes, Tea, coffee all donations gratefully accepted.

Every Friday knit and natter, crochet and chatter 12-2pm

Thinking about blue almonds

The debut performance of an exquisite set of instrumental pieces com-

posed by Louisa Lyne Patterson of Oxford-based cinematic Arabic jazz

band, Brickwork Lizards. Scored for violin, viola, cello, and piano, Louisa’s

music comes from the heart. It weaves together subtly shifting tonalities,

Debussy-esque shimmers, nods to Yann Tiersen, and the occasional Ara-

bic inflection to create a glorious and emotive sound-world utterly her

own.." Not to be missed! Tap Social, Wednesday 13th April, 8:00pm ( £7)

Jumble sale

Saturday 23rd April, 2-4pm, Entrance 50p at Cumnor Village Hall, Leys

Road, OX2 9QS Items for sale can be left at the hall on either Friday 22nd

between 3 and 6pm or on the morning of the sale between 9am-12 noon.

Come and grab yourself a bargain. For further information phone

01865327819 Raising funds for UKRANIAN Charities

Botley W.I.

Our next monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, 5 April will have a presen-

tation ‘Every Picture Tells a Story,’ by Peter & Margaret Preece. Our Read-

ing, Green Fingers, Walking and Music groups will all be holding gather-

ings. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Val on 01865 245273 for hall

bookings.

Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details

to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.

1st Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Dean Court Community Centre Thur 6–7.30 Jean

Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com

2nd Botley Brownies

Girls aged 7–10

Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison

Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com

4th Oxford Scout Group

Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts

mail@thefourth.org.uk Website:

http://www.thefourth.org.uk/

15th Oxford Scout Group

Boys and girls welcome

Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, 1 Church Way, Botley

Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)

07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk

Baby & Toddler Group

Tues/Thurs 9.15–11, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

BikeSafe. B4044 community

path campaign

Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8

weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org

Books on Wheels R.V.S.

Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142

Botley Boys & Girls F.C.

Football teams from ages 8-16

Brendan Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com

Botley Community Larder

Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West

Way, Facebook or email botleylarder@gmail.com

Botley and Kennington

Patients Participation Group

Second Tuesday in the Month, early evening. Contact

csugden@ocrpl.org

Botley Library

07922 849680. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,

otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).

Botley Seniors Lunch Club

Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner

Ox.721386

Cumnor Choral Society

Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795 054142

or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com

Cumnor Chess Club

Thurs 7–9pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett

01993 684494 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk

Cumnor & District

Historical Society

Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old

School. 01865 724808

Cumnor Gardening Club

http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or phone 01865

721026

Harmony InSpires, Ladies'

Acappella Singing Group

Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235

831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk

Hill End Volunteer Team

Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,

call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk

Lawn Tennis Club, N Hinksey

Family club Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org

West Oxford Singing Circle

Weds 2-3pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or see

www.emilyschoirs.co.uk

Morris Dancing – Cry Havoc

Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk

North Hinksey Preschool

and Childcare clubs

Mon–Fri 7.45am–6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email

nhps.manager1@gmail.com

N Hinksey Art Group

Weds 10–12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997

N Hinksey Bellringers

Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451

N Hinksey Conservation

Volun teers

Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr

07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com

N Hinksey, Friends of

Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.

N Hinksey Parish Council

clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk

N Hinksey Youth Club

Weds at LM pavilion, Daz: 07791 212866 or F’book

Oxford Flood Alliance

R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035

Oxford Flower Arranging Club

4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259

Oxford Harmony

Wednesdays 7.30 – 9.30 pm at Seacourt Hall, Con-

tact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk

Oxford Otters

Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,

twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420

Oxford Rugby Club

Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com

Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.

Raleigh Park, Friends of

raleighpark@raleighpark.org.uk

Seacourt Hall Management

Committee

Contact Lottie White, 07452 960100, or see

https://www.seacourthall.org.uk

Shotokan Karate Club

6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450

Stagecoach Botley

Seacourt Hall, Saturdays 9:00am–3pm Performing

Arts for 4-16 yr-olds Oxf 590510 or 01235 390810

Walking for Health

2nd & 4th Saturdays 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car

park, Arnolds Way. Alan 07941 610913

West Oxford Bowls Club

Dave Ellerker 07931 603801

wobc.membership@gmail.com

West Oxford Taekwon Do

Club

Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall

01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk

West Oxford U3A

(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/

West Way Day Centre

Mon & Fri 10–3pm, Field House, 07740 611971.

oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Women’s Institute (Botley)

Alison Jenner 07598 251161

alisonjenner@yahoo.com

Weight Watchers

Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall

Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com

Baptist Hall

1 Church Way

Contact: Diane Melchert 01865 243664

botleybaptistchurch@gmail.com

The Rosary Room

Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise

Contact Maria Brown,

Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 247986.

SS Peter & Paul Church

Hall, West Way, Botley

Contact: 01865 242057 or

osneybenefice@outlook.com.

Women's Institute Hall,

North Hinksey Lane

Contact: Val Warner

Te l . 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 5 2 7 3

Seacourt Hall,

3 Church Way

Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,

or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk

Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,

Elms Rise, Botley

Contact: Darren Blase 241254

louiememorialpavilion@gmail.com

Oxford Rugby Club,

North Hinksey Village

Contact:. Mary Bagnall

mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.

North Hinksey & Botley Churches

Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts

St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane

1st, 2nd, 4

, 5

Sunday 11. 30am Holy Communion

3 rd Sunday 11.30am Matins

St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way

Sundays 9.30am Holy Communion

Wednesdays 10.30am Holy Communion in Chapel of Holy Spirit

1st Saturday each month, 4–5.30pm Messy Church for children and carers

Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com

See table above for Church Hall enquiries.

Our Lady of the Rosary, Roman Catholic, Yarne ll s Hill

Saturday 6.30pm Mass

Sunday 9.15am Mass

Fr Daniel Lloyd 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.

Botley Baptist Church, 1 Church Way

Sunday Service 11 am.

Wednesday Zoom Bible Study 7.30pm

Choir practice Thursday 2pm

Diane Melchert 07742 662668 www.botleybaptistchurch.org

Calvary Chapel

Sunday services held at Botley School 10.30– 12 noon

Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498

calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;

www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk

What’s On

April 2022

Thur 7th 12 for 12.30, Seacourt Hall Botley Snrs Lunch Club

Mon 11th 2.30, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk:

“The Mary Rose” by Bob Foster

Tue s 12th 6pm by Zoom PPG meeting

Weds 13th 8pm, Tap Social, “Thinking about Blue Almonds”

Sun 17th Easter Sunday

Tues 19th, and 20th, 10-2pm, Hill End Camp, Easter Family

Forest Days

Sat 23rd 2-4pm, Cumnor Village Hall, Leys Rd, Jumble Sale

raising funds for Ukrainian charities.

Mon 25th 2.30, Dean Court Community Centre, U3A talk: “The

Transformative Power of Sports" by WheelPower,

(wheelchair sports) based at Stoke Mandeville Hospital

Thur 28th 7.30, Seacourt Hall, Parish Council meeting

Weds and Fridays, 12-2pm, Botley Baptist Church, snacks, hot

drinks. On Fridays, bring your crafts along

Thursdays, 3-5pm, SsP&P Church Hall – Community Larder

March 7th to April 29th, Thanks for All the Fish, photographic

exhibition at Ss Peter and Paul Church.

14th March to 16th April Local history exhibition at West

Oxford Community Centre, featuring lots of old

photographs of the parishes of St Thomas and St Ebbes